The Los Angeles Dodgers are going to have to consider a number of different roster construction scenarios as the 2025 postseason nears, and having Shohei Ohtani play the outfield falls under that category.
As the regular season comes to a close, the Dodgers have to prepare for the likely possibility that they will begin October baseball in the Wild Card Series.
With that comes a number of significant decisions that have to be made regarding construction of their pitching staff. Namely, who will make up the three-man starting rotation and how to best use Shohei Ohtani as a pitcher.
One of the scenarios available to the Dodgers is having Ohtani play in the outfield to circumvent the rule that allows him to stay in the game after he is done pitching. MLB’s proverbial Shohei Ohtani rule only allows him to remain in the game as designated hitter when after coming out as a starting pitcher.
In the event that the Dodgers wants to use Ohtani as a reliever, having him play outfield would allow for remaining in the lineup after he pitches.
“I’ve had different conversations with various people, and the idea of me pitching in relief has come up,” Ohtani said in Japanese. “As a player, I want to be prepared to handle whatever role is needed.
“If I do end up pitching out of the bullpen, I think that could also mean I’d need to play in the outfield afterward, depending on the situation.
“So I want to be ready for anything, no matter what comes my way.”
Even though it would potentially solve a problem for Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, it unfortunately isn’t as straightforward as it seems. Ultimately, the team doesn’t consider Ohtani playing the outfield a likely possibility.
“I don’t know if it’s a pipe dream, but it’s very commendable from Shohei,” Roberts said. “I think what happens is there’s a lot of moving parts too.
“He would have to take on more load as far as being an outfielder, to then pitch, and then you have to get somebody who hasn’t been a DH to be in a platoon situation to get them to DH and try to get the feel of that, which is not easy.
“There’s a lot of variables, but to know that he can potentially run out there, it’s great. Maybe just in theory. But again, I love him for even throwing that out there.”
Roberts added that Ohtani possibly playing the outfield in October is not on his radar at all.
The last time Ohtani played the outfield was one inning in left field for the Los Angeles Angels during the 2021 season.
Shohei Ohtani’s innings limit for playoffs
If the Dodgers choose to have Ohtani remain a starter for the postseason, they could be open to letting him pitch an extra inning if all the important parties involved in that decision are in agreement.
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